Examining the clustering of lifestyle factors and affect in daily life: An idiographic approach

Abstract

There has been an increase in interest in the health and well‐being benefits of lifestyle factors such as physical activity, diet, sleep, and social interaction. Previous research has highlighted how lifestyle factors, both healthy and unhealthy, tend to covary or cluster together. Very little research has examined the degree to which the clustering among lifestyle factors and emotional health is unique to individuals. As such, this project examined the idiographic associations among lifestyle behaviors and emotional experiences in daily life, which could set the stage for individualized lifestyle interventions. Seventy‐nine adults ( M _age  = 43.37, SD _age  = 17.26) in the United States participated in a 70‐day daily diary study, where they reported on daily lifestyle engagement and affect each evening. Network models examined the associations among these variables at the between‐person level and within‐person level. Further, person‐specific idiographic network models were analyzed. Results indicate that there were significant associations in the whole sample at multiple levels (between‐person and within‐person). Further, idiographic analyses revealed person‐specific connections among lifestyle factors and affect. In conclusion, lifestyle factors and affect cluster together in daily life, and the clustering differs across individuals. Future research should explore the feasibility of intensive measurement‐informed lifestyle interventions.